Lynda had the lead this time and she had to deal with the summer heat and the possibility of the summer monsoons, so meeting at 8:00 A.M. sharp we try to get ahead of the heat and hope to return before we get caught in the rain. And we did.... but only thanks to Mother Nature who postponed the rain for another day. Tree Spring turned out to be quite cool with a nice breeze when we needed it most. It was also pretty shady so we were happy to enjoy the hike with pleasant hiking conditions. We had hopes to make it to the Fossil Garden, but altered our plans for a better place to have lunch.
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| The Hoofers: front row: Missy, Lynda (our leader), and Karen; back row: Kathleen, Pat, Julianne, Judy A., Kelly (Judy's guest), Helene and... |
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| Rose |
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| Western Yarrow greeted us at the trailhead |
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| These could possibly be Showy Goldeneye however the large protruding cone leaves some doubt (possibly further along in their growth and they could be producing seeds) |
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| Purple Geranium |
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| Showy Daisies |
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| Showy Daisies, same family as Asters |
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| Scarlet Penstemons |
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| Scarlet Penstemons |
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| Climbing Tree Spring Trail |
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| A nice shady spot to rest, but we don't rest just keep on Hoofing |
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| Mariposa Lily |
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| Golden Draba |
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| Nodding Onion |
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| These are definitely Showy Goldeneye |
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| Nodding Sunflowers |
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| Nodding Sunflowers |
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| Rocky Mountain Penstemons |
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| Hoofers on the trail, and me, a shadow of myself! |
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| Richardson's Geranium |
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| Whipple's Penstemon |
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| Harebells |
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| Velvet Goldenrod |
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| White Jacob's Ladder |
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| Blue Jacob's Ladder |
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| Showy Daisies |
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| Indian Paintbrush |
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| Indian Paintbrush |
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| Whipple's Penstemon |
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| Indian Paintbrush |
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| Scarlet Gilia |
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| Views along the trail |
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| Hairy Golden Asters |
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| Hairy Golden Asters |
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| Bee Balm |
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| Fernleaf Lousewort |
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| Mariposa Lily |
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| Heading down the South Crest Trail |
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| Returning back along South Crest Trail I do the leading so I have a shot of the trail |
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| More views along the trail |
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| Baneberry (Poisonous) The flowers and fruit are always above the leaves |
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| Red Elderberry (good for jam!--but leave them for the bears!) The flowers and fruit are below the leaves |
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| Tree Mushrooms |
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| Osha |
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| Graceful Cinquefoil |
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| An Ant Condominium |
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| We reach our lunch spot, at the end of the Tree Spring Trail overlooking Bear Canyon |
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| We never made it to the Fossil Garden but we found a great specimen of a crinoid at our lunchspot |
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| Pictures at lunch: Here's Julianne |
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| Karen, Kathleen, and Helene |
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| Judy and guest, Kelly |
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| Our leader, Lynda |
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| Pat and Missy |
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| and, Yours Truly |
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| Alpine Stemless Bitterweed |
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| Geyer's Onion |
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| Heading back we are once again greeted by the Nodding Sunflowers |
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| Going back is all down hill as life should be |
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| Past the field of Nodding Sunflowers |
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| Past the Jacob's Ladder field |
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| Catching some more views along the way |
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| This charred tree caught my eye |
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| Past the fallen trees |
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| Still enjoying the shady trail |
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| This is a mustard, most likely Flix Weed |
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| Spike Verbena |
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| Making a wish that all our hikes are like this one |
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